title: Evaluating emergency risk communications: a dialogue with the experts.
abstract: Evaluating emergency risk communications is fraught with challenges since communication can be approached from both a systemic and programmatic level. Therefore, one must consider stakeholders' perspectives, effectiveness issues, standards of evidence and utility, and channels of influence (e.g., mass media and law enforcement). Evaluation issues related to timing, evaluation questions, methods, measures, and accountability are raised in this dialogue with emergency risk communication specialists. Besides the usual evaluation competencies, evaluators in this area need to understand and work collaboratively with stakeholders and be attuned to the dynamic contextual nature of emergency risk communications. Sample resources and measures are provided here to aid in this emerging and exciting field of evaluation.
authors.forename: Craig W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Marsha L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Vanderford
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crouse Quinn
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D054626:Consumer Health Information; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004631:Emergency Medical Service Communication Systems / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D008402:Mass Media / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States